scholarly journals Sporulation Phenotype of a Bacillus subtilis Mutant Expressing an Unprocessable but Active σE Transcription Factor

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (7) ◽  
pp. 1999-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shonna McBride ◽  
W. G. Haldenwang
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Proprotein Processing ◽  
Residual Inhibition

ABSTRACT σE, a sporulation-specific sigma factor of Bacillus subtilis, is formed from an inactive precursor (pro-σE) by a developmentally regulated processing reaction that removes 27 amino acids from the proprotein's amino terminus. A sigE variant (sigE335) lacking 15 amino acids of the prosequence is not processed into mature σE but is active without processing. In the present work, we investigated the sporulation defect in sigE335-expressing B. subtilis, asking whether it is the bypass of proprotein processing or a residual inhibition of σE activity that is responsible. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that sigE335-expressing B. subtilis progresses further into sporulation (stage III) than do strains lacking σE activity (stage II). Consistent with its stage III phenotype, and a defect in σE activity rather than its timing, the sigE335 allele did not disturb early sporulation gene expression but did inhibit the expression of late sporulation genes (gerE and sspE). The Spo− phenotype of sigE335 was found to be recessive to wild-type sigE. In vivo assays of σE activity in sigE, sigE335, and merodiploid strains indicate that the residual prosequence on σE335, still impairs its activity to function as a transcription factor. The data suggest that the 11-amino-acid extension on σE335 allows it to bind RNA polymerase and direct the resulting holoenzyme to σE-dependent promoters but reduces the enzyme's ability to initiate transcription initiation and/or exit from the promoter.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Positive Stringent Response of the Bacillus subtilis ilv-leu Operon, Involved in the Biosynthesis of Branched-Chain Amino Acids

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (18) ◽  
pp. 6134-6147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeo Tojo ◽  
Takenori Satomura ◽  
Kanako Kumamoto ◽  
Kazutake Hirooka ◽  
Yasutaro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Stringent Response ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acids ◽  
Base Substitution ◽  
Branched Chain

ABSTRACT Branched-chain amino acids are the most abundant amino acids in proteins. The Bacillus subtilis ilv-leu operon is involved in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. This operon exhibits a RelA-dependent positive stringent response to amino acid starvation. We investigated this positive stringent response upon lysine starvation as well as decoyinine treatment. Deletion analysis involving various lacZ fusions revealed two molecular mechanisms underlying the positive stringent response of ilv-leu, i.e., CodY-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The former is most likely triggered by the decrease in the in vivo concentration of GTP upon lysine starvation, GTP being a corepressor of the CodY protein. So, the GTP decrease derepressed ilv-leu expression through detachment of the CodY protein from its cis elements upstream of the ilv-leu promoter. By means of base substitution and in vitro transcription analyses, the latter (CodY-independent) mechanism was found to comprise the modulation of the transcription initiation frequency, which likely depends on fluctuation of the in vivo RNA polymerase substrate concentrations after stringent treatment, and to involve at least the base species of adenine at the 5′ end of the ilv-leu transcript. As discussed, this mechanism is presumably distinct from that for B. subtilis rrn operons, which involves changes in the in vivo concentration of the initiating GTP.

scholarly journals Dual Promoters Are Responsible for Transcription Initiation of the fla/che Operon in Bacillus subtilis

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (14) ◽  
pp. 3548-3555 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Estacio ◽  
S. Santa Anna-Arriola ◽  
M. Adedipe ◽  
L. M. Márquez-Magaña
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Null Mutation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reporter Construct ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Dual Promoters

ABSTRACT The fla/che region contains more than 30 genes required for flagellar synthesis and chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis, including the gene for the flagellum-specific ςD factor, sigD. Sequence and primer extension data demonstrate that a PA promoter immediately upstream of flgB, henceforth referred to as thefla/che PA, and the PD-3 promoter are active in vivo. Transcription from the PD-3 element is dependent on ςD activity and is regulated by the flagellum-specific negative regulator, FlgM. In a strain containing a deletion of fla/che PA(PAΔ), ςD protein was not detected, demonstrating that the fla/che PA is necessary for wild-type expression of the sigD gene. Thus,sigD is part of the >26-kb fla/che operon. Consistent with a lack of detectable ςD protein, the PAΔ strain grows as long filaments and does not express a ςD-dependent hag::lacZreporter construct. These phenotypes are indicative of a lack of sigD expression or complete inhibition of ςD activity by FlgM. However, ςD activity is found in a double mutant containing the PAΔ and a null mutation in flgM. The double mutant no longer grows as long filaments, and expression ofhag::lacZ is partially restored. These data demonstrate that a low level of ςDactivity does exist in the PAΔ mutant but can be detected only in the presence of a null mutation inflgM. Therefore, normal expression ofsigD may also involve another promoter(s) within thefla/che operon.

scholarly journals Functional Domains of the Bacillus subtilis Transcription Factor AraR and Identification of Amino Acids Important for Nucleoprotein Complex Assembly and Effector Binding

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 3024-3036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Saraiva Franco ◽  
Luís Jaime Mota ◽  
Cláudio Manuel Soares ◽  
Isabel de Sá-Nogueira
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Nucleoprotein Complex ◽  
Effector Binding

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis AraR transcription factor represses at least 13 genes required for the extracellular degradation of arabinose-containing polysaccharides, transport of arabinose, arabinose oligomers, xylose, and galactose, intracellular degradation of arabinose oligomers, and further catabolism of this sugar. AraR exhibits a chimeric organization comprising a small N-terminal DNA-binding domain that contains a winged helix-turn-helix motif similar to that seen with the GntR family and a larger C-terminal domain homologous to that of the LacI/GalR family. Here, a model for AraR was derived based on the known crystal structures of the FadR and PurR regulators from Escherichia coli. We have used random mutagenesis, deletion, and construction of chimeric LexA-AraR fusion proteins to map the functional domains of AraR required for DNA binding, dimerization, and effector binding. Moreover, predictions for the functional role of specific residues were tested by site-directed mutagenesis. In vivo analysis identified particular amino acids required for dimer assembly, formation of the nucleoprotein complex, and composition of the sugar-binding cleft. This work presents a structural framework for the function of AraR and provides insight into the mechanistic mode of action of this modular repressor.

Sp1, a CAAT-binding factor, and the adenovirus major late promoter transcription factor interact with functional regions of the gamma-fibrinogen promoter

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2628-2637
Author(s):  
J G Morgan ◽  
G Courtois ◽  
G Fourel ◽  
L A Chodosh ◽  
L Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Internal Deletion ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Mrna Accumulation ◽  
Deletion Mutations ◽  
Functional Regions ◽  
Binding Factor

To study the factors which influence the coordinately and developmentally regulated expression of the three adjacent fibrinogen genes, we have defined the functional regions of the gamma-fibrinogen promoter and the proteins which bind to them. Using a series of 5' and internal deletion mutations, we found that sequences between 88 and 43 base pairs (bp) upstream of the gamma-fibrinogen transcription initiation site functioned in cis to direct properly initiated mRNA accumulation in transfected hepatocytes. The efficient function of these sequences was highly distance dependent, since transcriptional activity decreased by 92% when they were moved 32 bp upstream of the TATA box. We demonstrated that two known and one putative transcriptional factors interacted with this 47-bp sequence. The transcription factor Sp1 interacted with sequences between -51 and -46 as demonstrated by protection from DNase I digestion with the purified protein. Directly adjacent to the Sp1 site, between nucleotides -66 and -53, there was a sequence which bound a CAAT-binding factor. Finally, sequences just 5' to the CAAT factor-binding site interacted with the adenovirus major late transcriptional factor as previously demonstrated. Internal deletion mutations which disrupt these interactions diminished the activity of the promoter in vivo. One consequence of the interaction of these proteins is that a bend is placed in the DNA at or near their sites of interaction.

scholarly journals Sp1, a CAAT-binding factor, and the adenovirus major late promoter transcription factor interact with functional regions of the gamma-fibrinogen promoter.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2628-2637 ◽  
Author(s):  
J G Morgan ◽  
G Courtois ◽  
G Fourel ◽  
L A Chodosh ◽  
L Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Internal Deletion ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Mrna Accumulation ◽  
Deletion Mutations ◽  
Functional Regions ◽  
Binding Factor

To study the factors which influence the coordinately and developmentally regulated expression of the three adjacent fibrinogen genes, we have defined the functional regions of the gamma-fibrinogen promoter and the proteins which bind to them. Using a series of 5' and internal deletion mutations, we found that sequences between 88 and 43 base pairs (bp) upstream of the gamma-fibrinogen transcription initiation site functioned in cis to direct properly initiated mRNA accumulation in transfected hepatocytes. The efficient function of these sequences was highly distance dependent, since transcriptional activity decreased by 92% when they were moved 32 bp upstream of the TATA box. We demonstrated that two known and one putative transcriptional factors interacted with this 47-bp sequence. The transcription factor Sp1 interacted with sequences between -51 and -46 as demonstrated by protection from DNase I digestion with the purified protein. Directly adjacent to the Sp1 site, between nucleotides -66 and -53, there was a sequence which bound a CAAT-binding factor. Finally, sequences just 5' to the CAAT factor-binding site interacted with the adenovirus major late transcriptional factor as previously demonstrated. Internal deletion mutations which disrupt these interactions diminished the activity of the promoter in vivo. One consequence of the interaction of these proteins is that a bend is placed in the DNA at or near their sites of interaction.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Activation in Yeast Cells Lacking Transcription Factor IIA

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 1573-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Chou ◽  
Sukalyan Chatterjee ◽  
Mark Lee ◽  
Kevin Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
General Transcription Factor

Abstract The general transcription factor IIA (TFIIA) forms a complex with TFIID at the TATA promoter element, and it inhibits the function of several negative regulators of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) subunit of TFIID. Biochemical experiments suggest that TFIIA is important in the response to transcriptional activators because activation domains can interact with TFIIA, increase recruitment of TFIID and TFIIA to the promoter, and promote isomerization of the TFIID-TFIIA-TATA complex. Here, we describe a double-shut-off approach to deplete yeast cells of Toa1, the large subunit of TFIIA, to <1% of the wild-type level. Interestingly, such TFIIA-depleted cells are essentially unaffected for activation by heat shock factor, Ace1, and Gal4-VP16. However, depletion of TFIIA causes a general two- to threefold decrease of transcription from most yeast promoters and a specific cell-cycle arrest at the G2-M boundary. These results indicate that transcriptional activation in vivo can occur in the absence of TFIIA.

scholarly journals Primary structure requirements for correct sorting of the yeast mitochondrial protein ADH III to the yeast mitochondrial matrix space.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 294-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Pilgrim ◽  
E T Young
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Mitochondrial Matrix ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mature Form ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
The Matrix

Alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme III (ADH III) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the product of the ADH3 gene, is located in the mitochondrial matrix. The ADH III protein was synthesized as a larger precursor in vitro when the gene was transcribed with the SP6 promoter and translated with a reticulocyte lysate. A precursor of the same size was detected when radioactively pulse-labeled proteins were immunoprecipitated with anti-ADH antibody. This precursor was rapidly processed to the mature form in vivo with a half-time of less than 3 min. The processing was blocked if the mitochondria were uncoupled with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Mutant enzymes in which only the amino-terminal 14 or 16 amino acids of the presequence were retained were correctly targeted and imported into the matrix. A mutant enzyme that was missing the amino-terminal 17 amino acids of the presequence produced an active enzyme, but the majority of the enzyme activity remained in the cytoplasmic compartment on cellular fractionation. Random amino acid changes were produced in the wild-type presequence by bisulfite mutagenesis of the ADH3 gene. The resulting ADH III protein was targeted to the mitochondria and imported into the matrix in all of the mutants tested, as judged by enzyme activity. Mutants containing amino acid changes in the carboxyl-proximal half of the ADH3 presequence were imported and processed to the mature form at a slower rate than the wild type, as judged by pulse-chase studies in vivo. The unprocessed precursor appeared to be unstable in vivo. It was concluded that only a small portion of the presequence contains the necessary information for correct targeting and import. Furthermore, the information for correct proteolytic processing of the presequence appears to be distinct from the targeting information and may involve secondary structure information in the presequence.

scholarly journals Interaction of wild-type signal sequences and their charged variants with model and natural membranes

1993 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Rao ◽  
R Nagaraj
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Synthetic Peptides ◽  
Model Membranes ◽  
Signal Peptides ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Hydrophobic Region ◽  
Phospholipases A2 ◽  
Charged Amino Acids

The interaction of synthetic peptides corresponding to wild-type signal sequences, and their mutants having charged amino acids in the hydrophobic region, with model and natural membranes has been studied. At high peptide concentrations, i.e. low lipid/peptide ratios, the signal peptides cause release of carboxyfluorescein (CF) from model membranes with lipid compositions corresponding to those of translocation-competent as well as translocation-incompetent membranes. Interestingly, mutant sequences, which were non-functional in vivo, caused considerable release of CF compared with the wild-type sequences. Both wild-type and mutant signal sequences perturb model membranes even at lipid/peptide ratios of 1000:1, as indicated by the activities of phospholipases A2, C and D. These studies indicate that such mutant signals are non-functional not because of their inability to interact with membranes, but due to defective targeting to the membrane. The signal peptides inhibit phospholipase C activity in microsomes, uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and increase K+ efflux from erythrocytes, and one of the mutant sequences is a potent degranulator of the mast cells. Both wild-type and mutant signal sequences have the ability to perturb vesicles of various lipid compositions. With respect to natural membranes, the peptides do not show any bias towards translocation-competent membranes.

Tetramer formation of Bacillus subtilis YabJ protein that belongs to YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family

2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-306
Author(s):  
Zui Fujimoto ◽  
Le Thi Thu Hong ◽  
Naomi Kishine ◽  
Nobuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Keitarou Kimura
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Quaternary Structure ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Amino Acid Mutation ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Ligand Binding Sites ◽  
Potential Ligand ◽  
Single Amino Acid Mutation

ABSTRACT Bacillus subtilis YabJ protein belongs to the highly conserved YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family, which has a homotrimeric quaternary structure. The dominant allele of yabJ gene that is caused by a single amino acid mutation of Ser103Phe enables poly-γ-glutamic acid (γPGA) production of B. subtilis under conditions where the cell-density signal transduction was disturbed by the loss of DegQ function. X-ray crystallography of recombinant proteins revealed that unlike the homotrimeric wild-type YabJ, the mutant YabJ(Ser103Phe) had a homotetrameric quaternary structure, and the structural change appeared to be triggered by an inversion of the fifth β-strand. The YabJ homotetramer has a hole that is highly accessible, penetrating through the tetramer, and 2 surface concaves as potential ligand-binding sites. Western blot analyses revealed that the conformational change was also induced in vivo by the Ser103Phe mutation.

scholarly journals Extensive mutagenesis of a transcriptional activation domain identifies single hydrophobic and acidic amino acids important for activation in vivo.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
M B Sainz ◽  
S A Goff ◽  
V L Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Carboxyl Terminus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Activation Domain ◽  
Hydrophobic Residues ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Acidic Amino Acids

C1 is a transcriptional activator of genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes of the maize anthocyanin pigment pathway. C1 has an amino terminus homologous to Myb DNA-binding domains and an acidic carboxyl terminus that is a transcriptional activation domain in maize and yeast cells. To identify amino acids critical for transcriptional activation, an extensive random mutagenesis of the C1 carboxyl terminus was done. The C1 activation domain is remarkably tolerant of amino acid substitutions, as changes at 34 residues had little or no effect on transcriptional activity. These changes include introduction of helix-incompatible amino acids throughout the C1 activation domain and alteration of most single acidic amino acids, suggesting that a previously postulated amphipathic alpha-helix is not required for activation. Substitutions at two positions revealed amino acids important for transcriptional activation. Replacement of leucine 253 with a proline or glutamine resulted in approximately 10% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Leucine 253 is in a region of C1 in which several hydrophobic residues align with residues important for transcriptional activation by the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein. However, changes at all other hydrophobic residues in C1 indicate that none are critical for C1 transcriptional activation. The other important amino acid in C1 is aspartate 262, as a change to valine resulted in only 24% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Comparison of our C1 results with those from VP16 reveal substantial differences in which amino acids are required for transcriptional activation in vivo by these two acidic activation domains.

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